As 8 women prepare to sue over alleged RNC sex assaults, hurdles may be emerging

A St. John's lawyer says eight women are prepared to sue the Newfoundland and Labrador government over allegations that they were sexually assaulted by on-duty police officers.

Litigator Lynn Moore broke the news in July that several women had emerged to point fingers at the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, accusing multiple police officers of sex crimes.

Moore says eight of the 11 women that contacted her last summer have now chosen to move forward with a civil suit.

That initial flood of accusations followed the third trial of RNC officer Doug Snelgrove, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a young woman in 2014 while he was on duty.

Moore said the allegations that came pouring in after Snelgroves conviction closely resemble what happened to the complainant in the case, known as Jane Doe.

Her clients in this lawsuit "generally tend to be professional women who were enjoying a night downtown, leaving while under the influence of alcohol, and offered a ride home by a police officer, who then sexually assaulted them," she said Thursday.

"These women did not consent. The vast majority of them were raped and the effects on them have been devastating and long-lasting."

Sources with connections to the force have previously described a culture of sexual misconduct within the force, telling CBC News how officers would habitually prowl the downtown core, targeting women under the influence of alcohol. 

Moore said her clients so far have been able to identify three of the accused officers. It's not clear how many other officers are involved, as some could have assaulted more than one woman, and some of her clients aren't able to identify their alleged attackers.

She says at least one of the identified officers retired shortly after the allegations came to light.

"These women were treated like objects, not worthy of any human dignity or respect," she said.

The Department of Justice, in an emailed statement to CBC, declined to comment in detail on the lawsuit.

"The government of Newfoundland and Labrador can confirm it has been served with a statement of claim by one person alleging they were assaulted by an RNC officer," the department wrote. 

"As this matter is before the court, the province will not be making comment."